King of Creation Chapter 1726 - 1711: The Benefits Promised by Yiz Lie
Previously on King of Creation...
"Ba'erlong, Ba'erhu, do you two brothers understand your transgression?"
The booming question from Grand Chief Priest Bai Xiang completely drained the color from the faces of the brothers Ba'erlong and Ba'erhu.
However, Grand Chief Priest Bai Xiang offered no opportunity for retort, cutting through the ensuing confusion. Dealing with these two brothers was even simpler than disposing of Seventh Grand Power Sacrifice Tumen Changyin.
"Ba'erlong and Ba'erhu, driven by petty grudges and intentional troublemaking, were even suspected of plotting against the Inherited Divine Messenger Ye Zhen during the martial arts exhibition. After their scheme failed, they instigated further chaos, nearly precipitating a great disaster. Their crimes are unforgivable..."
Just as Grand Chief Priest Bai Xiang was about to pronounce the sentence, Ba'erhu, who had been lying dejected on the ground, suddenly pushed himself up. He rapidly moved forward on his knees and cried out, "Grand Chief Priest, I have a vital matter to report!"
"Hmm?"
Grand Chief Priest Bai Xiang's gaze turned icy, and a flicker of anger ignited within him. The impudence of Seventh Grand Power Sacrifice Tumen Changyin was one thing. If these two brothers, Baerlong and Baerhu, dared to play games, he would make them regret it for the rest of their lives.
With this thought, Grand Chief Priest Bai Xiang let out a cold snort and nodded. "Speak!"
"Regarding your statement, Grand Chief Priest, I, Ba'erhu, accept all culpability. However, these incidents have no bearing on my elder brother. All these plans were conceived by me; my elder brother merely couldn't refuse my pleas and reluctantly assisted. He is innocent! Please punish me severely, but I implore you not to involve my elder brother!"
Upon hearing this, the priests of the Barbarian Spirit Hall exchanged surprised glances, and even Ba'erlong displayed astonishment.
Nobody had anticipated that at this critical juncture, Ba'erhu would shoulder all the blame to shield his elder brother.
Few, however, believed Ba'erhu's claim. Any sensible person could discern that this was a conspiracy hatched by the two brothers.
What was truly unexpected was Ba'erhu's profound loyalty. Even Grand Chief Priest Bai Xiang was taken aback, momentarily pausing his response.
Ba'erhu seized this fleeting opportunity to absolve his elder brother.
"Grand Chief Priest, my intention to cause trouble for Left Chief Priest Ye stemmed from the Yutu Barbarian Guardian Battle Spirit that my brother and I discovered. On that day, we lost a bet to Left Chief Priest Ye and forfeited the position of Inherited Divine Messenger for the Yutu Barbarian Guardian Battle Spirit, a prize we had worked so hard to obtain. Upon our return, I was enraged and incessantly sought to trouble Left Chief Priest Ye, while my brother consistently advised against it. But my hatred was difficult to quell! Coinciding with the grand festival, I forcefully insisted that my brother propose a martial arts exhibition to vent my wrath..."
...
Listening to Ba'erhu pour all his effort into shouldering the blame and striving to clear Ba'erlong's name, his emotional delivery caused him to forget to suppress his injuries with spiritual power. Fresh blood gushed from his dislocated shoulder and arm, painting a truly pathetic picture.
This display finally compelled Grand Chief Priest Bai Xiang to let out a deep sigh.
This sigh sent a ripple of unease through Ye Zhen's heart.
After all this effort, this grand occasion, could it be that they wouldn't be able to completely expel the brothers Ba'erlong and Ba'erhu from the Barbarian Spirit Hall?
"Ah, Ba'erhu, I understand your intentions! This incident was originally a joint conspiracy between the two of you, yet you now claim sole responsibility. Consider carefully; the punishment may be far more severe than you anticipate!" Indeed, just as Ye Zhen had foreseen, Grand Chief Priest Bai Xiang appeared to be softening.
Ba'erhu beamed with joy at these words and hastily bowed. "Please, Grand Chief Priest, show mercy; all the blame rightfully belongs to me alone!"
Beside him, Ba'erlong reacted sharply, attempting to speak, but was met with a fierce glare from Ba'erhu's eyes, accompanied by constant divine soul waves exchanged between them.
Presumably, within that brief moment, an intense conversation transpired.
"Very well then, considering your deep brotherhood, you have demonstrated your familial bond. I trust you will both take care henceforth!"
With that, Grand Chief Priest Bai Xiang's expression turned stern. "Ba'erhu, for deliberately harming others, instigating trouble, and nearly causing a catastrophe, all your positions within the Barbarian Spirit Hall are revoked. You are sentenced to one hundred years of hard labor in the Black Wind Absolute Domain!"
The mention of the 'Black Wind Absolute Domain' caused the assembled priests to adopt grave expressions, clearly indicating it was no place for the faint of heart.
This Black Wind Absolute Domain was known to be one of the Heavenly Temple's hidden mining regions, an exceedingly perilous locale where even experts at the Realm King Realm might meet their end.
Although abundant in certain Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, the Primordial Qi of Heaven and Earth is nearly absent in that location. Survival itself proves exceedingly challenging for martial artists, let alone engaging in strenuous labor. To extract ores, one must expend spiritual power to ward off external dangers, with no Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi to absorb. Reliance is solely on spirit stones for spiritual power replenishment, a state of constant oppression. Typically, after a year spent in the Black Wind Absolute Domain, a cultivator's power begins to wane. The longer the period of labor within its confines, the more significant the decline in their cultivation. Considering Ba’erhu’s sentence of a hundred years of labor in the Black Wind Absolute Domain, the extent to which his cultivation will deteriorate is a pressing question. There is even doubt about his ability to survive the full century! In essence, this punishment is exceptionally harsh for a martial artist; it is tantamount to ending their cultivation path! "Furthermore, Ba’erlong’s severe mishandling nearly plunged us into catastrophe. He is sentenced to a year of meditation in the Soul Refining Hall, effective immediately!" Having spoken, the great chief priest’s gaze shifted towards Princess Changle. "Changle, do you find today's judgment to be fair?" Princess Changle found herself with little to contest, as Ye Zhen and her own initial intention was to have Ba’erlong also sent to the Black Wind Absolute Domain for a century. However, given the great chief priest's intercession to uphold familial ties between the brothers, she couldn't voice strong objections. Nevertheless, dispatching Ba’erlong to the Soul Refining Hall for a year of meditation was a sufficiently fitting consequence. Once Ba’erlong is released from the Barbarian Spirit Hall after his year-long confinement, his loyal adherents will be dealt with, and his forces will be completely absorbed. Subsequently, upon Ba’erlong’s return to the Barbarian Spirit Hall post-confinement, his influence will be negligible, practically nonexistent. This outcome, given the concerted efforts of Princess Changle and Ye Zhen, was undeniably worthwhile! Beyond achieving several minor objectives, the primary predetermined goals were fully realized, even surpassed: the tarnishing of the brothers Ba’erlong's reputations, their near expulsion from the Barbarian Spirit Hall, the restoration of the hall's honor, an increase in its standing within the Ancestor God Temple, and the enhancement of Ye Zhen and Princess Changle's authority within the Barbarian Spirit Hall were all successfully accomplished. Following the conclusion of these proceedings, the great chief priest, Bai Xiang, departed with his retinue, accompanied by Second Grand Power Sacrifice Tongna. Tongna's expression at this moment was a mask of defeat and frustration. However, individuals who attain the position of Second Grand Power Sacrifice are not easily broken! As they left the Barbarian Spirit Hall, his eyes subtly glinted, clearly deep in contemplation. Meanwhile, within the Barbarian Spirit Hall, the somber grand festival dance resumed after this significant incident. Yet, from their seats of highest authority, Ye Zhen and Princess Changle engaged in a quiet conversation via Divine Soul Telecommunication. "Princess, earlier, when I arranged for the return of War Spirit Divine Archer Yiz Lie, Yiz Lie presented me, or rather, presented you with a proposal. Would you be interested in hearing it?" After a brief exchange, Ye Zhen inquired. "Divine Archer Yiz Lie's proposal?" Princess Changle mused for a moment before responding, "He likely desires my drop of Creation Spirit Blood. Also, Brother Ye, if it's alright, I would prefer you address me as Changle, as you did when we were in the Demon Clan Territory." "Ah... very well, Changle! Divine Archer Yiz Lie is unaware of the close bond between us. Therefore, he offered certain reciprocal benefits and also provided me with a specified range for negotiation." "Oh? What did he propose?" Princess Changle asked with evident curiosity. "What benefits were offered?"